"Indeed!"
"And since you praised his playing in church, he's spent the best part of the week at the piano."
"I am sorry."
"At least, he's been happy, although the cows did get into the hay and tread it down."
Mavis expressed regret.
"You'll stay to tea and supper, miss?"
"Do you know what you're asking?" laughed Mavis.
"It's the anniversary of the day on which I first met Trivett, and I've made a moorhen and rabbit-pie to celebrate it," declared Mrs Trivett.
Mavis was a little surprised at this piece of information, but she very soon learned that Mrs Trivett's life was chiefly occupied with the recollection and celebration of anniversaries of any and every event which had occurred in her life. Custom had cultivated her memory, till now, when nearly every day was the anniversary of something or other, she lived almost wholly in the past, each year being the epitome of her long life. When Trivett shortly came in from his work, he greeted Mavis with respectful warmth; then, he conducted his guest over the farm. Under his guidance, she inspected the horses, sheep, pigs and cows, to perceive that her conductor was much more interested in their physical attributes than in their contributive value to the upkeep of the farm.
"Do 'ee look at the roof of that cow barton," said Trivett presently.